The course in Pharmacy offered by State establishment Lugansk State Medical University (LSNMU) is designed for students who would like to specialize and be trained in the effective use of medicinal drugs. Pharmaceutical studies involve the study of chemical sciences together with health sciences. It helps ensure safe use and administration of pharmaceutical drugs. Practicing pharmacy includes modern roles in health care and clinical services as well as reviewing drugs for more traditional services like dispensing and compounding medication.

People who practice pharmacy are called pharmacists, and they assist in the administration of medicine for better health of patients. Pharmacies are also known as drug stores and keep some miscellaneous items like cosmetics, candy, groceries and magazines. The field of pharmacy is relatively young as an independent science. Its history can be traced back to centuries, but it was always a part of medicine. Pharmacy has recently evolved and separated itself as independent field.

Pharmacy is expected to become an increasingly integral part of modern day health care. Pharmacists are expected to contribute to the health care of patients apart from dispensing drugs. Numerous countries are receiving remuneration from their governments for achievements and work in the pharmaceutical departments. Pharmacy courses now have additional training that qualifies students to a limited right of prescribing medication.

The Pharmacy course offered by Lugansk State Medical University includes subjects like physiological sciences, human nutrition, pharmacology, professional practice, rural pharmacy, pharmaceutics, chemistry, microbiology, organic and medical agents, organic chemistry, therapeutics and scientific statistics. Over the course period, students will develop skills and knowledge in health promotion and will become effective in health information management and communication. The course is recognized world over and is well respected in the industry.

The pharmaceutical faculty was inaugurated by the Ministry for Education and science for Ukraine. The faculty began training specialists’ pharmacists of general direction “pharmaceutics”. At the pharmacological faculty the curriculum if for five academic years. The student acquire the fundamentals of medical and biological knowledge, learn in detail various subjects in the specialty and some clinical ones. On successful completion of study the graduates get the diploma of pharmacist. The faculty trains the students for work at the instutions of pharmacy and also for research work.

A powerful educational methodical base is being created for training highly qualified specialists. There are such departments are as the pharmacognosy, Biology and Genetics department and chemopharmaceutic disciplines department. Medical botany, Inorganic chemistry, Analytical, physical and organic chemistry, methods for analysis are taught at these departments. All the departments are supplied with all the necessary equipments, reagents and textbooks.

About the course

The Pharmacy course taught at Lugansk State Medical University aims at equipping students with all the necessary skills that are in tune with current trends. It understands and imparts the importance of continuing health care for the public. Electives offered help students develop their special interests, which can enhance their career opportunities. Every module is taught with utmost attention to detail. Some of the subjects taught in this program include:

• Foundations of Biochemistry
• Human Nutrition
• Physiological Sciences
• Human Molecular Genetics
• Pharmaceutical Microbiology
• Disease Processes
• Pharmacology
• Organic & Physical Chemistry
• Chemistry
• Introduction to Microbiology
• Pharmaceutics
• Introduction to Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Practice
• Pharmacokinetics
• Organic and Medicinal Agents
• Professional Practice
• Rural Pharmacy Practice
• Therapeutics
• Scientific Statistics

Foundations of Biochemistry: The basics of chemical processes that occur in living organisms are studied in this subject. It also includes living matter. A foundation is given in the structure, function and interaction of different components of cells like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and other such elements.

Human Nutrition: The focus of this subject is to study nutrients and how they are used by the body. Topics covered include digestion, transport, interaction, excretion, indigestion, absorption, metabolism and storage. The topics then go on to examine the role of nutrition and diet in therapy and in diseases.

Physiological Sciences: A foundation of the human body is studied through a cohesive systems approach. The focus of this subject is on the processes that underlie all bodily functions. Anatomical terminology is taught followed by cell biology. The course emphasizes the physiology of the nervous, skeletal, cutaneous, endocrine and muscular system. Human Molecular Genetics: The basics of genetic mechanisms and principles are studied with an emphasis on molecular biology theory and humans. The tools of molecular biology are introduces and the application of these tools to detecting mutation is examined. Ethical issues regarding screening, social issues, research and prenatal diagnosis are discussed through the examination of case studies.

Pharmaceutical Microbiology: Microorganisms are studied in context of the pathogenic mechanisms that affect them. The impact of these on humans is examined. The focus of this subject will be on teaching students antimicrobial therapies and how antibiotic resistance works.

Disease Processes: The development of diseases in human beings is examined and the process of this development is studied in detail. The detection and monitoring of diseases is also studied through analyzing laboratory test results. The main focus will be on the importance of standard point-of-care tests that are used in health care institutions.

Pharmacology: The fundamentals of pharmacodynamics and drug action are introduced. The structure-function relationship in drugs and drug-receptor interactions are emphasized. The factors that determine drug-receptor efficacy and affinity are analyzed. The pharmacology of drugs is developed in terms of respiratory, cardiovascular, central nervous and renal systems. Drug resistance and dependence is also studied.

Organic & Physical Chemistry: Basic principles underlining pharmaceutical agent activity is examined. The implications of group chemistry for chemical, physical and metabolic properties are examined. The main focus is on stereochemistry and its relationship to drug metabolism, chromatography and design.

Chemistry: The theories of atoms and molecules are taught. Bonding is also explained to promote a better understanding of bulk matter behavior. Thermodynamics, oxidation and reduction, kinetics and the basics of organic chemistry is taught. Specific applications of these aspects of chemistry are examined as well.

Pharmaceutics: Drug nomenclature and terminology used in pharmacy is taught to students. The principles on mathematics and physical sciences that are used in pharmacy are examined. This course includes mechanics and rheology, dosage calculation, data interpretation and presentation, and measurement systems. The instrumentation applied to the analysis and formulation of medicines is explained in detail as well. Introduction to Pharmacy: Pharmacy as a profession is introduced and the various responsibilities and roles of pharmacists are explained. The practice of pharmacy, its history and development and codes of ethics are taught to students. Oral and written communication skills of the students are developed in the context of pharmacy. Pharmacy Practice: The details of all issues related to pharmaceutical practice within a hospital and community are examined. Extemporaneous dispensing skills are related to physicochemical principles. Drug information databases and software’s will be studied in detail. The frameworks of legislation, regulation and occupational health within the pharmaceutical industry will be taught.

Pharmacokinetics: This subject builds on pharmaceutical chemistry, human physiology and pharmacology. It observes pharmacokinetic, pharmaceutical and pharmacodynamics principles relating to drugs. Pharmacokinetics in cases of pregnancy, geriatrics, diseases, lactation and pediatrics is also examined.

Organic and Medicinal Agents: The methods and principles of drugs’ chemical reaction are examined in detail. The focus of this subject is on diagnostic applications, drug binding, receptor structure and chemical analysis. The medicinal chemistry of a large number of therapeutic agents is covered under this subject.

Professional Practice: The skills necessary for pharmacists to practice are studied in this subject. A framework is taught to guide the development of professional philosophy for pharmacists.

Rural Pharmacy Practice: Students are prepared for rural practice in context of rural environments and the clients in these environments. The focus of this module is on pharmacy practice within a rural setting. Models based on health care are examined from a clinical and sociological perspective.

Therapeutics: The applications of drugs in different clinical drug groups are taught in terms of therapeutic application. Drugs that are commonly used for cardiovascular, reproductive, nervous, musculoskeletal, renal, digestive and endocrine systems are covered, including their contraindications and indications. Drugs that are used for infectious and behavioral disorders are examined as well.

Why choose this course?

The Pharmacy course at Lugansk State Medical University furnishes students with all vital skills that professionals in pharmaceutics require. The course material is constantly revised and kept up to date with industry trends. The principles imbibed in students through this course help them build successful careers and increases their job opportunities. The modules taught in this course cover all important aspects of the theory, science and practice of pharmaceutics. The course structure facilitates a smooth transition from the university to the field. The course is recognized all over the world and has always has a wide range of international students.

Career prospects for students

Graduates in pharmacy are in demand by the health care sector. Students have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of subjects, which helps channelize and improve job prospects. Careers that open up to students of pharmacy include:

• Resident pharmacist
• Community pharmacist
• Hospital pharmacist
• Scientific research
• Technical support, investigation and analysis
• Pharmacy management
• Scientific writing